Top 10 Directors of Early Childhood Education - 2026

Stevenson has spent more than 25 years within Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), serving in roles that have provided continuity across the district's early childhood program. Beginning as a preschool teacher, she progressed to Associate Director and later Director of Early Childhood Education, gaining insight from both classroom and district leadership perspectives. Her journey has helped shape the program from vision to implementation, strengthen continuous improvement, and build trusted relationships with educators, families, school leaders, and community partners.

Fabiola Salceda serves as Director of Early Childhood Education at Robla School District. She brings a deep commitment to play-based, culturally responsive learning, building inclusive classrooms where every child thrives, and pairs hands-on classroom experience with strong academic grounding to elevate early education standards.

Santos Gonzalez oversees Early Childhood Education programs across San Diego Unified School District as its Director. With over 25 years in education as a teacher, administrator, and coach, she leads with humanity, believing the work should move at the speed of human connection so that everyone can win.

Shayla Holeman, as Director of Early Childhood Education and School Readiness, shapes the preschool experience for young learners in Richmond, Virginia. She brings dedicated leadership to early learning in Richmond, Virginia, championing school readiness and building strong foundations for young learners across the district's preschool programs.

With over 18 years at Palmdale School District, Dr. Melanie Culver now serves as Director of Early Childhood Education, having risen through the ranks as Principal, Assistant Principal, and Teacher. Her deep, homegrown experience across every level of the district shapes her thoughtful, student-centered approach to early learning.

At Wenatchee Valley College, Hilary Martinez directs Early Childhood Education, guiding programs that prepare future educators in Wenatchee, Washington. A graduate of Grand Canyon University, she brings a strong academic foundation to her work supporting young learners and the early childhood workforce.

Keely Orlando has built her career at Santa Ana Unified School District, rising from Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher to Director of Early Childhood Education in 2013. Bilingual and deeply rooted in her community, she brings nearly three decades of firsthand classroom and leadership experience to shaping early learning.

With over 25 years in public education, Jenny Thi Le now leads Early Childhood Education Programs at Azusa Unified School District, having served as Principal, Resource Teacher, and Elementary Teacher. Holding an M.A. in Educational Leadership, she's driven by a belief in excellent educational opportunities for every student.

A seasoned Child Development Professional, Elizabeth Schenck Brown serves as Director of Early Childhood Education at Barre Unified Union School District, following leadership roles at Rutland County Head Start and Fair Oaks Preschool. She champions advocacy, social justice, and inclusive, high-quality care for children from birth through age six.

Aleida Pérez, M.Ed., serves as Director of Early Childhood Education & Head Start at SAISD in San Antonio, Texas. With 20+ years as a bilingual administrator, she brings deep expertise in literacy, coaching, curriculum design, and grants implementation to her leadership.